The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is an important traditional festival in China, celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. Here are some of the meanings and customs of the festival in English:
**Meanings:**
1. **Commemoration of Qu Yuan**: The festival is primarily celebrated to honor the ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in the Miluo River in 278 BC after being betrayed and exiled by the king of the state of Chu during the Warring States period.
2. **驱邪避疫 (Drive out evil and prevent diseases)**: It is believed that the festival has protective powers against evil spirits and diseases, especially the plague, which is why people perform various rituals to ward off evil.
3. **Festival of Love**: In some regions, the Dragon Boat Festival is also seen as a romantic occasion, with young men and women engaging in activities like dragon boat races.
**Customs:**
1. **Dragon Boat Races**: The most well-known custom is dragon boat races, which symbolize the search for Qu Yuan's body. The dragon boats are long, narrow, and painted with intricate dragon motifs.
2. **Eating Zongzi (Duck Eggs and Rice)**: Zongzi are sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves and filled with various ingredients such as red bean, lotus seed, or meat. Eating these dumplings is a traditional part of the festival.
3. **Wearing Incense and Carrying a Bamboo Fan**: To ward off evil spirits, people often wear incense and carry bamboo fans, which are believed to have protective properties.
4. **Drawing a Calamity-Evading Pattern**: During the festival, people may draw patterns on their doors and windows to prevent evil spirits from entering their homes.
5. **Wearing a Five-Color String**: The five-color string, or "wushu sheng," is worn as a bracelet or around the neck to bring good luck and protect against illness.
6. **Drinking Realgar Wine**: Some people drink realgar wine, a concoction made from realgar (a type of arsenic mineral), to ward off evil spirits and diseases.
These are just a few of the many customs and meanings associated with the Dragon Boat Festival. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm across China and in many other countries with Chinese communities.
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